*Conrad*I muffled the chuckle that threatened to escape my throat and gazed at my embarrassed mate, trying to hold herself together. She paled at my explanation and probably hoped to vanish into the ground. I couldn’t help but smile at her reaction. She was shy and reserved, but I thought she was accustomed to werewolves’ customs and abilities.I linked everyone to stop staring and give their Luna space as I grabbed her chin and lifted her to meet her eyes. I didn’t want to embarrass her, so I kissed her parted lips and grazed her cheek lovingly. Never in a million years would I do that to any girl, yet my little starfish made me a different man, and the whole pack saw that change in me, too.”Don’t worry, starfish. Don’t mind them. They’re happy to have their Luna finally.” I whispered in a reassuring voice.She looked at me with rosy cheeks and wide, shining blue eyes, nodding and making her red curls bounce the way I liked. I don’t know when it happened, but I started noticing an
*Conrad*I stormed down the stairs as if I had been scalded. I ignored everyone on my way as I rushed to the last cell at the back, where my gut told me I would find Miles. And I wasn’t wrong. I reduced my sprint to jog when I noticed the door to the cell open and the spare magnetic key lying on the floor.With hands in his pockets, Miles stood straight, staring into the probably empty cell. Rip stood alert, sniffing the air and straining his ears, but nothing seemed unusual. I reached Miles, looked inside the cell, and found what caught Miles’ attention.See you soon, loser.An inscription was carved on the opposite wall and then decorated with not much blood but enough to be effective. My blood boiled, and I clenched my hands into fists. I went inside looking for clues, but I found nothing suspicious apart from this inscription that aroused great anger.”I want the names of everyone who stood guard over the last two days and surveillance recordings. I want to know when he escaped an
*MacKenzie* I opened the oven and carefully took out the last batch of scones. I placed them on the kitchen island to cool down. I tore one of the first ones and put one piece into my mouth, and the other was thrown onto the floor for Fireball. I know wild animals shouldn’t eat baked foods, but I couldn’t resist her pleading eyes when I started baking. It’s been two hours since I was kidnapped and placed in Conrad’s apartment. I don’t know what’s going on or how long it’s going to take because no one bothered to give me any explanations. All I received when I asked about the mountain of muscles guarding me was Alpha’s orders. So, I gave up. After being placed in my mate’s home with a bodyguard stationed at the attic’s stairs, I decided to make myself comfortable. The last time I was here, I mostly used the gym section. I lamely punched the punching bag. But to my surprise, it worked, and although my hits were not strong enough to move the bag even an inch, it allowed me to release a
*MacKenzie*I gaped at Claire, dumbfounded. I couldn’t believe what she was revealing. During my stay at my father’s pack, I hadn’t seen any pictures of the previous leaders; from forbidden stories heard here and there, I knew everyone cherished Alpha Levi and Luna Clarice. Leaders from other packs were seeking advice from them, and the council respected and took into account their opinions.Conrad’s muscles were tense when I touched him, but right now, they were so hard they felt like stones. I looked at his profile and noticed his jaw clenched so hard that I feared he would break his teeth. No one said a word; the only sounds were from the TV and Fireball snoring from the couch.I fixed my gaze on Conrad, but he didn’t pay attention. His skin started to heat up as if his blood began to boil in his veins out of rage, and that rage was visible in the gaze he fixed on his mother.”Are you trying to say that you cheated on Dad? That I am a bastard born of another man?” Conrad seethed in
*MacKenzie*The closer I came to his apartment, the more I tried to convince myself everything would be fine. Although I didn’t know what would await me there, I knew that Conrad wouldn’t hurt me. He may not have said it directly, but I know he loves me and wouldn’t let anyone hurt me. Even Rip didn’t have an ounce of hatred toward me, so I should be safe.The roars and tearing noises come mainly from the living room, and when I reached the last step, the stairs shook under his mighty roar, and I knelt and covered my ears. When agitated, werewolves can utter terrifying and loud sounds, but I have never heard of power strong enough to shake buildings.When my ears stopped ringing and I looked behind the stair rungs, I gasped and widened my eyes at the sight of this disaster. This beautiful and luxurious place no longer resembled it. Instead of a tastefully furnished and decorated apartment, shreds, shavings, feathers, and dust floated in the air. And in the middle of this mess stood C
*Conrad*Pain.Excruciating pain tore through my chest the moment Mom revealed this terrible truth. All my life, I was taught that my father died defending his Alpha. I was proud of him but also resented him for leaving us. But to find out after all this time that he not only supported his Alpha but was him was something I had never even dared to imagine.Rip was silent while Mom spoke, but when it finally dawned on him, he felt the surge of emotions crashing over him, and he couldn’t deal with them, so he let them consume him entirely. That’s the moment this whole strange situation happened. I had never felt such a power surging through me, and I could only imagine how that power appeared outside.I was boiling inside. My blood flowed in rushing rivers, with every splash casing a prickling sensation. My breaths were like clouds of suffocating steam that delivered nitrogen instead of oxygen to m
*Claire*”Maybe start from the beginning. I’d like to understand the whole situation.” Conrad asked when we finished our meals.MacKenzie’s stomach growled when we all sat in our chairs, and Conrad ordered a small break to fill our stomachs before resuming our meeting. I was glad for that little postponement. It gave me the needed time to sort everything out in my head.I drank the water and looked at everyone present in the room. The only one missing was Chase, but he volunteered to escort his sister north and, after assuring that she was adequately accommodated, he would be back. I should wait for his return, but he would have to be briefed last in the current situation.”My real name is not Claire Hamilton, but Clarise Hamilton-Thoreau. And I am the last living leader of the Forest Green Pack. My mate, late Alpha Levi Thoreau, was discussing essential nominations in our council when Roy, his Beta and friend, suggested his
*Conrad*I looked at my Mother, and couldn’t believe what she just told me. Okay, I suspected this would be one of the saddest stories of my life, but I didn’t think it would touch my heart so much. A tornado of emotions was raging inside me, and if it weren’t for Mackenzie in my arms, I would probably add the office to my damage list. No one spoke after she delivered the last sentence. Everyone was probably dealing with their tornados, which was a lot to process. However, we knew Allard was an asshole and deserved to die, but hearing how he came to power, I want to deal not only with him and his pack but also with the whole Werewolf’s Council. And it was the last thought that bothered me.”How about the Council? Why they didn’t do anything?” I asked, and Miles perked up. ”Yeah.” He joined after discreetly wiping his tears away. He sniffed and cleared his throat, ”Since the Council was already interested in your pack, they must have suspected something, and according to their procedu
*Mackenzie*Fireball leaped over the log and, with a wild roar, sank her teeth into the native's shoulder, causing him to drop his ax to the ground with a groan. I stepped back, stretching my hands and summoning my flames. The natives also retreated when they saw my powers and the burning lynx, which did not hesitate to tear them to shreds."Holy shit, Starfish. You run from me again, and you won't be able to sit down for a week. Do you understand?" Conrad ran out of breath, tearing up the vines blocking his path."And you, young lady, can forget about scratching behind your ears for a month." He threatened Fireball, who reluctantly released the native and, offended, turned away from Conrad."Don't give me that shit. I'm not joking, little one." Conrad repeated, but Fireball stood unfazed."Honey, maybe it's better to focus on these people than on our punishment, ok? After all, they tried to cut me up with those axes." I pointed at the retreating people, not extinguishing my flames.Co
*Garrett*I wandered the halls, assessing what else was needed before handing the pack to the new Alpha. No one asked me to do this, but I needed to ensure everything was fixed.Caris felt obliged to meet my father and the people I grew up with, so she spent the entire day meeting them. I hope that her temperament and love of alcohol will not be perceived negatively. I love her to death, but even I got fed up with her sometimes. Ansel roared in agreement with me. Tanga could also give him a hard time from time to time.'It's just a pity you can't admit it in front of her, you coward.' I commented, knowing how meek he could be, nodding to Tanga.'It's called pampering your lady.' Ansel took offense, exhaling air through his nostrils.'Yeah, whatever makes you sleep at night, man.' I scoffed, returning to assessing our losses. "Pussy." I muttered under my breath, laughing.Ansel got angry and started growling at me, but I quickly blocked our communication, enjoying the undisturbed silen
*Conrad*I sat on the bed, staring at my bare feet. There was still dark outside; the moon gently peeked into our window, illuminating my face as I slept and waking me up at night. I sighed quietly and turned to look at my peacefully sleeping Starfish, sprawled out on the bed, taking up more than half of the mattress. I laughed under my breath. Her nickname fits her perfectly.I got up from the bed and walked around to cover Mackenzie, who had kicked the blankets out and was snoring adorably. I picked the blanket from the floor and covered her body, watching her sleep soundly, undisturbed by decisions that may affect our future.I brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her head before taking in the delicious scent of blueberry cheesecake she smelt of before I got dressed and quietly left the room for some fresh air.I was putting on a T-shirt when a woman in a messy bun, a loose T-shirt, and jeans came out from the opposite room, yawning. She stopped dead when she saw me, wonderi
*Mackenzie*I stared at Claire with a tornado of thoughts in my head. I was extremely grateful that Garrett was still holding me in his arms cause I didn‘t trust my feet. My knees almost buckled when Claire dropped that bomb suddenly."Fifty years," I mumbled, turning my gaze to Agatha.Agatha Allard. Roy's mother, my grandmother, has been dead for over fifty years.I slowly got out of Garrett's arms and cautiously approached the chest. I knelt next to her and placed my hand on the lid. I felt a strange power of attraction, as if there was something inside that belonged to me."Now, it doesn't matter whether she died half a century ago or half an hour ago. She didn't reveal anything important. Nothing except her last request to destroy that chest." I said, revealing Agatha's last words."If no one wants to take this box outside, we'll have to do it here," I announced as I slowly detached my grandmother's bony hands from the chest.Everyone gathered stared at me, wondering if they shou
*Claire*I didn't know how to feel. After over thirty years, I returned home. And even though it was no longer my home, the sentiment remained. And my heart beat faster every time I walked along a familiar path or passed a place where Levi and I spent our most precious time.Dara was in a dilemma. Although, like me, she was pleased to be back at Green Forest Pack, her heart could not forgive what happened to us here. Here in our home, everything we loved was taken away from us.'You act as if we were going to come back here. But I didn't say anything like that. Not even a thought.' I laughed when she growled at me again when I got too close to the tree swing near the school.'You don't have to say anything; I feel and hear everything. After all, I'm your smarter half.' She countered, reminding me of her importance.'Thanks for reminding me that I'm the stupidest one here. You can always count on smarty-pants.' I rolled my eyes as I left the swing and headed towards the pack house.'Yo
*Mackenzie*The day was ending, and nothing we had set out to do was ready. The wounded were still being treated. The missing people are still searched, and the dead, although there were not many of them, were waiting for their turn. We only managed to organize accommodation for over five hundred people in a banquet hall that had not been used for centuries.People asked about everything. Why did this have to happen to them? Why do they have to suffer for the sins of others, and why can't they return to their homes? I didn't know what to answer them; no one did, especially Claire, who was constantly surrounded by a group of people excited about the return of their real Luna.Even though she had a tired look, she didn't refuse anyone, even those who interrupted her meal. She always greeted everyone with a smile, kindness, and openness. And I will have to learn this from her because I avoided people like the plague.When we left the pack house and Maddox set me on my feet, Conrad relaxe
*Mackenzie*The kiss didn‘t last long, but it felt like forever. I clung to Conrad, not letting him end the kiss or our embrace. My wings fluttered playfully before fully penetrating my back, wrapping me in their soft feathers, clinging to my ribs."I guess it's over," Conrad whispered, combing my hair."I guess it's over," I confirmed, blushing after our sweet yet public display of affection.Around us, people were still confused, not knowing what to do, how to react, or what to say. I'm not surprised. Not every day you get to fight against those who want to free you. It's not every day you find out that the last decades of your life were a lie, and it's not every day you experience a fight between creatures that, according to legend, have long since existed."Why don't we clean up first and then deal with the aftermath?"Someone made a suggestion in the crowd, and hearing the multitude of unanimous cries, it must have been someone who held power."What do you say, Alpha?" The same m
*Melody*I lay semi-conscious on the cold, wet grass, staring into the empty eyes of my lover, Chase. My body wracked with sobs of despair that continued despite the pain of the completely severed bond vanishing. My body had fully processed the pain, but my soul was still mourning. My soul lost its half, my heart fell into pieces, and my mind couldn't cope with the most tremendous loss of my life."Ch-sss." I tried to say his name despite my broken jaw and howls.My poor weak wolf Isola cried mournfully for the Moon Mother to take her and reunite her with Axel. Her sense of life had just vanished, taken from her with the death of her soulmate. I didn't have the strength or desire to comfort her in her sadness because I wondered whether to ask the Moon Goddess to take me too.Despite my broken legs and arms, I tried to get closer to Chase's body and leave this world with him, embracing him until my last breath. Every inch I got closer to him hurt like hell, and every second I spent clo
*Conrad* "Now, I'll show you your failure." Esther chuckled above Mackenzie‘s head, staring intently at me, "Alpha Levi." She addressed me and dragged her nails into Mackenzie‘s neck, piercing her skin. Rip couldn't stand it, and at an alarmingly fast and excruciating pace, he shifted, tearing apart all the clothes I had on. And with a sinister roar vibrating in the air, he stood before the witch in all his glory, ready to tear her to shreds. Esther smiled even wider as if she had been waiting for this very moment. Her eyes lit up when she saw Rip, and I realized where her mad enthusiasm came from. 'She thinks we're Dad. She thinks we are Levi and King.' I noticed, and Rip growled, proud but excited to show Esther who we were. "I didn't think I'd have the opportunity to kill you twice. The first time was a pleasure. Now I'll make it historic." Despite her obviously weak body, Esther snickered, threw Mackenzie aside, and lunged at Rip. All the people gathered moved aside as Rip us